Objectives: A self-adhesive resin cement (RelyX Unicem, 3M Espe, Seefeld, Germany) was found by UK general dental practitioners (GDPs), to have handling advantages over both previously used luting materials (Crisp et al 2003). Preliminary evaluation of a small sample of the restorations placed indicated satisfactory clinical performance. It is the purpose of this study to report the clinical performance of this material at 24-months, in terms of retention of the restorations, marginal adaptation and staining, and post-operative sensitivity in a large sample of the original 144 restorations.

Methods: When the patients with the study restorations returned for routine recall, the GDPs completed a proforma using modified Ryge criteria for the scoring of marginal adaptation and marginal staining. Notation, age of the restoration, pain (time after cementation & duration) and presence of any porcelain cracks were also recorded.

Results: 90 restorations (mean age 21-months) in 82 patients were reviewed. Four restorations were reported to have failed for reasons, deemed by the operator, unconnected with the use of the cement under investigation (root fracture, porcelain fracture, and unrelated enamel chipping). The results of the remaining 86 restorations (22 All-ceramic restorations, 27 All – metal restorations, 36 Metal/ceramic restorations and 1 Fibre post) are as tabulated. A porcelain crack was detected in one metal/ceramic restoration (1%).

CRITERIA	SCORE (%)           *=unacceptable
	0	1	2	3
Marginal Adaptation	83	16	1*	0*
Marginal Staining	87	12	1	0*

Three patients (4%) recorded transient pain at the time of cementation.

Conclusion: This report suggests that the material under investigation in this sample of 86 restorations is performing satisfactorily after 21months. However a longer evaluation period is needed to ensure continued performance.

The support of 3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany is acknowledged.